Black Crazy Ant (Longhorn Crazy Ant)
Paratrechina Longicornis
- Color: Brownish-black
- Worker size: 2.3-3 millimetres
- Colony size: 1,500-2,500
- Queen: 3/8-1/2 inches, claustral, polygynous
Introduction
Longhorn Crazy ants are also called “Black Crazy ants”. These ants are dark coloured. Their workers are typically 1/4-1/8 inches long. These ants could nest in hollowed or rotten wood, under logs or stones, and under other stuff inside buildings. They are highly adaptable when it comes to nesting habits, though. This type of ant is not polymorphic, meaning it only has one type of worker. Their queens are around 6 mm long.
Unique Traits
Lunatics!
These ants are called “Crazy ants” for a reason. Like Yellow Crazy ants (Tawny Crazy ants), their behaviour is often erratic, and Longhorn Crazy ants don’t really follow trails. This is also why their common name is Longhorn Crazy ants. They also have very long legs, which can carry them at a speed of 2.3 cm/s.
Defences
These ants have long legs that allow them to kill prey from all sides. Black Crazy ants can’t sting, but they have formic acid, and would bite and inject formic acid into their prey.
Habitat & Diet
Longhorn crazy ants eat insects, sugars, juices, or just about anything they can find containing carbs or protein. There is some research indicating that this species of ants is the most widely distributed around the globe. These ants are native to India, but are highly invasive.
Sources:
- https://www.heartspm.com/pest-library/longhorn-crazy-ant/#:~:text=Longhorned%20crazy%20ants%2C%20also%20known,they%20are%20on%20the%20move.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEuxEG1lAE4
- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN299
- https://antmaps.org/?mode=species&species=Paratrechina.longicornis
- https://www.wakooshi.com/products/paratrechina-longicornis#:~:text=The%20queens%20are%20notably%20larger,6%20mm%20and%20very%20prolific.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1631069105001630#:~:text=While%20exploring%2C%20each%20P.,the%20size%20of%20the%20workers.
- https://pictureinsect.com/wiki/Paratrechina_longicornis.html